Plumber/Pipefitter at The Plumber, Inc.
at The Plumber, Inc. in Belle Fourche, SD
About This Program
The Plumber, Inc. in Belle Fourche, South Dakota offers a five-year, employer-sponsored Plumber/Pipefitter apprenticeship. This non-union program provides paid, hands-on training for individuals in the Black Hills region who want to enter the skilled trades and build a career in plumbing and pipefitting.
Apprentices complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside experienced plumbers, plus 576 hours of related technical instruction. Training covers water supply and distribution, drain-waste-vent systems, fixture installation, pipe joining methods, gas piping, and South Dakota plumbing code requirements — all essential to professional practice in the state.
Graduates of the program earn journey-level status as plumbers and pipefitters, equipped to take on full project responsibility. Working with a local employer in Belle Fourche gives apprentices direct exposure to the mix of residential, agricultural, and commercial work common to the region.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in South Dakota
Plumber/Pipefitters in South Dakota are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by South Dakota Plumbing Commission.
View full South Dakotalicensing requirements →Reviews
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